Snapshots of VMware

Similar Questions

• Take snapshots of VMware preferred Cisco Infrastructure

  Hello community,

  We have several Cisco first 2.x and 3.x facilities in the area. All are virtual machines on ESX servers. Before the operations of the crtitcal system (as updates, etc.) I used to take a snapshot of VMware. So far, I never had to use a snapshot to revert to the previous state of the system, but I was always sure to have a snapshot, just in case something goes wrong.

  Now a customer recently asked me if the database would not get damaged if I just take a snapshot of the currently running system. I was courious and tried to look this up, but could not find clear instructions for this. The question that bothers me is: what should I stop NCS before taking a shot or not? Does anyone know what Cisco recommends (kind of best practices) for making snaphsot of VMware?

  Best regards

  Benjamin

  Hi Benjamin,

  Please see the release below notes... Snapshots are supported but recommended to take during their stop. I made quite a few installations and upgrades, and always take snapshots while the virtual machine is turned off, is faster and safer on big high transaction VMs.

  First 3.

  http://www.Cisco.com/c/en/us/TD/docs/net_mgmt/Prime/infrastructure/3-0-1...

  First 2

  http://www.Cisco.com/c/en/us/TD/docs/net_mgmt/Prime/infrastructure/2-2-2...

  http://KB.VMware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd...

  http://KB.VMware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd...

  See you soon

  Micheline

• Instant snapshot of VMWare and SAN

  How the instant different(or similar) snapshots SAN VMWare?

  Thank you

  The case of use as well as the method of snapshots is very different.

  As NuggetGTR says table instant base will take a snapshot of the entire lun/volume, but instant VM are just for each individual VM.

  How snapshots are created are very different and this determines the use case. EG Netapp table according to snapshots are very effective and take very little space, because (simplifying here) they mark all blocks in the volume in read-only - so you have an overview of the entire volume and because it is not copying all the data it is very fast and not take place.  As new data are written/modified/deleted it says new blocks and blocks alone reading in the snapshot are not deleted or modified.  This makes it very effective and good for backups long term.  However, as this is an array based snapshot is done at the block level and Netapp doent know what data are, could be a SQL database or the virtual machine.  honing to get application-consistent backups, to a plugin abreast of the API as Snapmanager for SQL or VSC for VMware.

  VMware based snapshots of a virtual machine are created by sleep (possibly) the guest operating system and then marking the. VMDK a new read-only. VMDK is created for the virtual machine that will handle the reads/writes new data and the original. VMDK will manage the readings for the old data.  This process is repeated for each snapshot that is taken.

  More the string of snapshots (and. VMDK) files the most impact on the performance of the virtual machine.  Also when you delete a snapshot must merge the. Files VMDK back together which can take a long time and have a performance hit of old clichés.  They will be also eats more space!

  These are intended to serve as a term 'safety nets' shot so that you can quickly return as any change - not as a long-term backup solution.

  They are a great tool to use in conjunction with array-based snapshots.  Using Netapp for example, you can install the VSC in vcenter and use it to plan the snapshots table in conjunction with the snapshots of VMware.

  This will fix a nice snapshot of each virtual machine with a consistent state Vmware hard, then the snapshot of the table will be instant volume/LUN with all these beautiful .vmdks suspended/static, then it will remove snapshots of Vmware.

  Some best practices:

  • The snapshots are not backup. A snapshot file is only a log of changes to the original virtual disk. Therefore, do not count on it as a direct backup process. The virtual machine is running on the most current snapshot, not the original disk vmdk files.
  • Snapshots are not complete copies of the original disk vmdk files. The take a snapshot does not create a complete copy of the original disk vmdk file, rather it copies only the delta records. The changelog in the snapshot file is combined with the original files from disk to be part of the current state of the virtual machine. If basic disks are removed, the snapshot files are useless.
  • Delta files can reach the same size as the original file of the basic disk that's why storage provisioned to a virtual machine grows an amount up to the original size of the virtual machine, multiplied by the number of snapshots on the virtual machine.
  • The maximum supported snapshots in a string is 32. However, VMware recommends you to use only 2-3 shots in a string.
  • Do not use any single snapshot for more than 24 to 72 hours. Snapshots should not be maintained for long periods of time for application or Virtual Machine version control purposes.
  • • This prevents snapshots to grow so large to cause problems when deleting / engaging them to the original virtual machine disks. Take the shot, make the changes to the virtual machine and delete / commit snapshot as soon as you have verified the condition of operation of the virtual machine.
    • Be especially diligent with use of the snapshot on the virtual machines, high-transaction, such as e-mail and database servers. These clichés can develop very quickly in size, filling data store space. Commit snapshots on these virtual machines as soon as you have verified the State of work appropriate to the process that you are testing.
  • If using a third party product that takes advantage of snapshots (such as backup of virtual machine software), regularly monitor systems configured for backups to ensure that no snapshots remain active for long periods of time.
    • Snapshots must be present for the duration of the backup process.
    • Photos taken by software of third party (called via API) may not appear in the Snapshot Manager vCenter. Check regularly for snapshots via the command line.

  Here is a good article on vmware snapshots:

  http://KB.VMware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalID=1015180

• Error removing snapshot using vmware-cmd on ESX 3.5

  Hello VMware specialists,.

  whenever I try to delete a snapshot using vmware-cmd ("" / usr/bin/vmware-vim-cmd vmsvc/snapshot.remove vmid ' ") I get the following error:

  {(vmodl.fault.InvalidArgument)

  dynamicType = & lt; unset & gt;

  invalidProperty = & lt; unset & gt;

  MSG = "a specified parameter was not correct.

  "

  }

  What is the problem?

  Can someone help me?

  thx a lot

  Rilli

  You have more than one snapshot? in this case, you will need to provide arguments to inform additional cli command which instant you want missing. If you want that all went snapshots just use

  VMware-vim-cmd vmsvc/snapshot.removeall vmid

  Use the following command to get more information on the State of snapshot for VM

  VMware-vim-cmd vmsvc/get.snapshotinfo vmid

• How to return to the prompt to confirm my deletion of snapshot in VMware Workstation 7.0.1 (Windows)?

  Hello.

  Somehow, I have accidentally said VMware Workstation 7.0.1 does not prompt/confirm when deleting my image snapshots. How can I get that back then he can confirm my requests? I can't find the option in the program or the answer online.

  Thank you in advance.

  Maybe it's because my new glasses

  However, I see the entry (the 9th bottom). Set to "TRUE" or remove them, it should work.

  André

• Automatic snapshot with VMware Server 2.0

  Hello

  My company uses VMware Server 2.0, however we have several virtual and running servers which we want to have an overview of every 24 hours.

  Now ive been looking for this for a while now and I just can't find the way to do it?

  Just to let you know that I don't want to make a snapshot of ALL the servers that are running only 6 of them.

  Could someone please explain to me how and where to change it so my 6 servers will make a snapshot every 24 hours? If possible, it would be nice if I only would keep 2 snapshots in the folder and after that he began crushing others still? Since we only need to go back in time to 24 hours, however, gives us the opportunity to go back to 48 hours max which is sufficient. (not sure if this is possible?)

  Thank you.

  You can try the scheduled task in Windows and vmrun (http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vix160_vmrun_command.pdf)

  J.

• VM (invalid) after deleting a snapshot in VMWare ESXi

  All,

  I if I could delete any snapshot at any time to free up space on my drive, especially when I need one instant more.

  Thus, using the Snapshot Manager, I took a snapshot. Since then, my VM is considered invalid. She is still in progress, but I can't do anything with that (summary is empty, shows considered events null, empty and the console is nothing more than a black window).

  Is it possible for me to get this machine? I was about to make a new snapshot... and I really wouldn't want to see my work as missing.

  Thanks for any help,

  See you soon,.

  OD.

  I just got the phone with support, and in our case, it was the cake.  On the VM host console, vmware-cmd-l showed all the VMS in the inventory except the one in question.  In Virtualcenter, we have removed the server greyed out which was "invalid" inventory, then re-added.  Now all is well and everything seems normal.

• Find Snapshots in Vmware environment

  Hi all

  I support a Virtual Infrastructure with guest 50ESX and about 500 Virtual Machines running on them. My problem is that there are several Virtual Machines that has very old clichés; is it possible that I can know what VMs in instant environment? Check each virtual computer manually of course is a way but it is very time consuming.

  Y at - it a command line or a script that at least I can run to the ESX host level to identify all the virtual machines on this host with snapshots? In this way, I have to check 50 hosts only instead of 500 mV.

  Thank you.

  Jitendra

  MCSE 2003, CCNA, VCP, ITIL Foundation, Netapp NS0-153

  I used this script and it worked very well... created a nice .htm file.  I was surprised how VM has had shots that I wasn't aware of.

  http://www.ivobeerens.nl/?p=106

  hope this helps

• Can make snapshots with FREE VMWare Player 6.0.3 VM?

  Free VMWare Player 6.0.3-> upgrade to 6.0.4 necessary upgrade and VMWare tools for Ubuntu 14.04 or win 8.0?

  Also a snapshot of a VM Ubuntu 14.04 35GB how much space should take? Can make snapshots with VMWare Player 6.0.3? If this isn't the case - which required ver for Win 7 Pro Player...?

  Yes, copy the folder of the virtual machine is a way to clone a virtual machine.

  André

• What is the size of the 1st copy of Vmware snapshot delta

  If I understand instant, it creates a copy of your image.when delta you first create the snapshot, the snapshot (hard) size is a few megabytes (1000 k or more) and the size of the RAM.

  Example - my primary VM's with 4 GB of RAM and 30 GB of disk. the VMDK file size is 30 GB

  first preview, file snapshot.vmdk will be created which will be around 1000 k

  We will create a file over 4 GB RAM

  space required for the SNAPSHOT so total is 4 GB + 1000 k is this correct?

  Now, if I use instant, it can push up to the original size of VM primary, means it can grow up to 30 GB.

  that mean, when I restart the snapshot virtual machine size will be 60 GB?

  Please advice

  Concerning

  Avinash

  Disk space required when you create a snapshot depends on whether the virtual machine is turned on or off. What you describe on the file .vmsn is correct for the virtual computer power on. The .vmsn file contains the State of the virtual machine (memory) as well as its configuration (.vmx file). With the virtual machine off there is not need to backup the memory so that the file is only a few hundred bytes in size.

  The initial sizes for files hard depending on size delta set virtual disk service, since delta files are fragmented files that contain metadata in addition to the user data. It also makes a difference if the virtual machine is turned on or off.

  ..., when I restart the snapshot of the VM size will be 60 GB?

  No, snapshots files store only modified data blocks that are written with the active snapshot. Each of these blocks of data points to the original location in the basic disk. So if delete you / consolidate these blocks are written to the original location in the Basic virtual disk file.

  Please take a look at for example http://kb.vmware.com/kb/1015180 which explains the functioning of snapshots in VMware products.

  André

• VMWare snapshot problem

  I recently upgraded a server, but before that, I took a snapshot of vmware. I waited a few days to make sure that the server has been run correctly after the upgrade. Appearantly, the snapshot has filled the VM disk. I was unable to start. I deleted the snapshot, but who did not free disk space (at least not yet and it has been more than an hour). I could so he can start by reducing the amount of RAM by using the virtual machine was, but I REALLY need the free disk space. How can I get this free disk space faster. Is there something I can manually remove? Thanks for any advice.

  The speed depends on the workload disks and the speed of storage itself. If there is for example a local RAID running on a memory controller cache write-back, this may take a few hours. Anything that helps is to be patient.

  ... and I tried 2 times today

  Once started the process on the ESXi host races and you shouldn't try to start a second time. This could cause problems!

  André

• LUN showing sufficient free space but VMware showing low on space!

  Hello

  I have a very strange problem on a loan SAN, I don't have on hand the model number for the moment, but it's a PS6000 with NL - SAS drives.

  When I look in VMware to the DRLUN01 it seems that there is only 149 GB of free. When I look at the same SAN logical unit number, he says he has 985 GB free!

  

  

  The SAN is running the latest firmware and is connected to a server ESXi 4.1.0 through iSCSI. The LUN contains replicas of Veeam my production systems. When I talked to Veeam they notify that they have seen this twice but only know that Dell has solved the problems.

  As I'm not offered no support, even if I'm likely to spend August 20 k with Dell and have the Support Pro on my production SAN, I was wondering if someone can get ideas?

  Thank you

  Greg

  If you have allocated (from the point of view ESX) all your space so it is a different matter.  ESX needs free space to work properly.  Temp files, the swapfiles, newspapers and snapshots of VMware.   For example, I usually create volumes of 600GO (in general), I leave at least 100 GB free.  If that gets close, I create a new data store and move the virtual machines or simply create the new on the new data store.

  Re: ESX knows.   Basics of basic/SCSI disk.  At the level of the storage disk, there is no "files" there are only blocks.   Each block has an address, called a LBA, logical block addressing.  Each volume (disk) reports so that its ability to the controller.

  The volume (disk) starts at LBA 0 and goes to the LBA The ESX server keeps a table of total blocks and when you make an entry, it selects and for use LBA.   LBA (and data) are written in the volume (disk).

  The table knows also how each volume is great, so he knows how many blocks there.   ESX server sends that data with the LBA ESX choose to use, at the same time, it will update the allocation table which is on this VMFS volume...  The table can then locate LBA (X) and write the data here.

  So, since you gave us (X) MB, we can infer that from the free space of the total volume.   Works fine as long as you never delete anything.   A removal of ESX is a WRITING on the VMFS allocation table.  We record this writing as others.   There is nothing to say the array, AMLA (X) is no longer used, so return to the Member's area.   This is where the new command comes in cancel the MAPPING.  Now the server can send a command that tells unallocate (free) LBA (X).   Use space will go down and free space on this member will go up.

  Re: Re-use of Array.   So since it's the ESX Server that determines the LBA to use, it will be re - write down as needed.

  Re: Free to the declaration space.  # Important indicator is what the operating system said, not the table.  Finally when SCSI UNMAP is indeed those two will be much closer together.   If a VMFS volume goes to 100%, you're in trouble.   ESX will no longer be a LBA list to choose from.  Entries will fail and VMs will go down.

  The table in use is assistance to make sure that you attach no more space than you did.

  That is if you had a table of 2 TB, you can create a volume thin MUCH bigger than available.  But up to what you actually write more than 2 TB, of a data value, you're fine.  If you do, then the table runs out of space and volumes to disconnect and all virtual machines would stop.  This gauge to judge when to buy more storage.

  If w/o UNMAP, finally the EQL GUI does NOT reflect the free space for a volume.

  Bottom line, follow what ESX (or any server) said being used and free space on a volume.

  Best?

• Snapshot report displays only not the name of VM

  Hello

  I publish after a command to list the current value, but I don't get a virtual machine instead of that name, I'm VMware.Vim.VmEventArgument, could you please help me

  $vm = get-content c:\vms.txt

  PowerCLI C:\ > $vm | ForEach-Object {get-vievent $_.vm} |  where {$.fullFormattedMessage - like _ ' task: Remove Instant "} | Select Createduserid, fullFormattedMessage

  14/06/2015 22:14:06	Task: Remove snapshot	VMware.Vim.VmEventArgu...
  13/06/2015 22:15:45	Task: Remove snapshot	VMware.Vim.VmEventArgu...
  06/12/2015-22:18:43	Task: Remove snapshot	VMware.Vim.VmEventArgu...
  06/11/2015-22:18:53	Task: Remove snapshot	VMware.Vim.VmEventArgu...
  06/11/2015 01:05:24	Task: Remove snapshot	VMware.Vim.VmEventArgu...
  22:12:33 06/09/2015	Task: Remove snapshot	VMware.Vim.VmEventArgu...
  06/09/2015 21:58:30	Task: Remove snapshot	VMware.Vim.VmEventArgu...

  To get the name of the virtual machine, you can use the following calculated property (on the TaskEvent).

  @{N = "VM"; E={$_. Vm.Name}}

  See also 3 Re: snapshot, that created it  

• Help: Cannot clone a snapshot for a virtual machine that is turned off

  Hi guys

  I am currently using VMWare Workstation 10.0.3 build-1895310

  (The latest available at the time of writing)

  I want to create a clone of a snapshot.

  The snapshot is on the two snapshots behind 'You are here' - the current state.

  The computer virtual running windows server 2012.

  The virtual machine is completely turned off.

  (the virtual machine was turned off within the BONE, and no 'Power Off' option is available in the menu 'Power' after the OS is turned off, indicating (as far as I can tell) that the virtual machine is turned off completely)

  However, when you try to create a clone of the snapshot, the dialog box indicates that the virtual machine must be fed first (which I think it is) before making a clone.

  The only option available in the dialog box is "Cancel". (ie - the cloning process cannot continue)

  The attached picture shows the dialog of Clone, indicating the issue - and behind it, the engine power VM off

  (I'm trying to clone the snapshot "Installation")

  In other words, I have a completely powered off power VM (as far as I know), but it is impossible to create a clone of a snapshot, as VMWare seems to think that it is always active, for some unknown reason...

  Am I something wrong / missing something?

  Please advise...

  Thanks in advance

  James

  Welcome to the community,

  the reason is that the virtual machine has been turned on at the time you created the snapshot. What you can do is to clone the virtual disk manually using the command line of vmware-vdiskmanager (using the snapshot required as the source hard) and then create a new virtual machine by using the virtual disk cloned rather than creating a new.

  André

• Snapshots vs Backup

  Hi guys,.

  I am little confused the black and white shots and backup.

  1. If I take a snapshot to a location different .is it a backup of virtual machine?

  2. If I delete the virtual Parent computer... the snapshot won't work?

  The answers will be appreciated... Thank you

  Tarun Gupta

  Hello

  See below links KB on the best practices of Snapshots and better understand the snapshots

  VMware KB: Best practice for snapshots of virtual machine in VMware environment

  VMware KB: Understand the clichés of the virtual machine in VMware ESXi and ESX

  As explained in the KB Instant are not backups.

  Snapshots are not complete copies of the original disk vmdk files.

  The take a snapshot does not create a complete copy of the original disk vmdk file, rather it copies only the delta records. The changelog in the snapshot file is combined with the original files from disk to be part of the current state of the virtual machine.

  If basic disks are removed, the snapshot files are useless.

  Do not use any single for more than 24 to 72 hours snapshot.

  You can just clone the virtual machine if you need a backup of that VM, it would be better if you have a backup/protection of data with VDP (vSphere, Data Protection) or any other product from third party for the backup.

  What vSphere licenses do you have?

  If you have Essentials + and above, you can make free use of VDP

  VMware KB: vSphere Data Protection (WTP) FAQ

  Q: do I need additional licenses to use WTP 5.1?

  WTP is supplied with vSphere Essentials more and more.